Rory McIlroy firmly stated that he would never consider switching his career from golf to boxing due to his aversion to being a professional boxer and getting punched in the face as a livelihood. This declaration followed his recent win of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, where he attended the Anthony Joshua versus Jake Paul fight. When asked by the BBC about potentially trying boxing like some of his American counterparts, McIlroy unequivocally rejected the idea, affirming his contentment with playing golf professionally and avoiding a career that involves taking punches.
Expressing his passion for boxing, McIlroy predicted Joshua’s victory over Paul, citing the former’s advantages in reach, height, and experience. Despite his quick trip back to the United States after the award ceremony, McIlroy did not bring the trophy with him, emphasizing the rapid turnaround but expressing gratitude for the memorable evenings.
McIlroy resides with his wife, Erica Stoll, on Jupiter Island in Florida, while Stoll and their daughter, Poppy, stayed in the U.S. during his visit to Manchester. The golfer thanked his family, fans, and the BBC for their support, reflecting on the achievements of 2025 as a year of realizing his dreams and expressing hope for future challenges and successes in the sporting world.